Exceptional Student Education OCPS

The world’s biggest-known party celebrating VIP Kids of all ages with special needs and their families is coming May 4 to Lake Eola! Join the fun and festivities featuring food, games, exhibits, a friendship stroll, live performances and more! For more info visit https://nathanielshope.org/our-programs/make-m-smile/make-m-smile-orlando/ or call (407) 857- 8224.

Join us for a Transition Fair for families of all students with disabilities who have an IEP or Section 504 Plan, in grades PK-12+, who want information on a path to support their child while in Orange County Public Schools.

We are thrilled to share the success of the ESE Department’s rescheduled Winter Literacy Extravaganza after overcoming the initial hurdle of bad weather just before the Winter break. Despite the initial postponement, the event attracted an impressive 342 attendees, showcasing the unwavering community spirit and love for literacy. We hope to see you all at the next community event!

Check out these ideas to help preschoolers calm down on their own shared by our PDIS Team.

Huge list of calm down ideas!

These are simple strategies kids can use to calm down when angry, upset, frustrated, or overwhelmed.

https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2017/07/calm-down-strategies-for-kids.html

We're only a day away from our Winter Literacy Event! We hope to see you there!

Join the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida for their annual Jingle, Mingle, Tree Festival on December 2nd. More details below:

Save the date! Join the Exceptional Student Education Department on December 16th from 4pm to 7pm for a Winter Literacy Extravaganza! Come out and enjoy family workshops, vendors, and fun literacy activities for all ages. Register today: https://bit.ly/ESE_WinterLiteracy

We are only a few days away! Register today at ParentAcademy.ocps.net.

Autism Society of Florida will be having a free CPR training for families or staff who work with children with disabilities at the Winter Park Fire Rescue Dept on November 15 at 11:00 a.m. They will also be giving away door alarms to attendees. Register today by emailing [email protected].

Dyslexia is the most common learning disorder, affecting 1 in 5 people.OCPS is committed to ensuring that our students who have been diagnosed receive evidence-based intervention that leads to the promotion of self-awareness and self-empowerment to ensure school and life success.

In 2008, the Florida Legislature designated the first two weeks of October as Disability History and Awareness Weeks in public schools (K-12). Observing Disability History and Awareness Weeks allows us to appreciate the accomplishments of our students with disabilities and their parents, teachers, and staff in Orange County Public Schools.

We are excited to announce that the Annual ESE Big IDEA Conference for families is less than a month away. Use the link below to register:
https://bit.ly/BigIDEA23

Do you have an ESE question or concern? We have implemented a Parent Support Ticketing System for parents and members of our community to use when questions or concerns arise.
Please visit https://bit.ly/ESEParentSupport to access the Parent Support Ticketing System.

Free back to school & sports physicals! For additional details, see the flyers below.

Register now for the 2023 Camp WeWa Epilepsy Camp. Use the link below to register: https://epilepsyassociation.com/2023-camp-wewa-epilepsy-camp-registration-form/

UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities is happy to announce two camp options this summer for students ages 14-21 enrolled in school, with an IEP or 504 plan. See the flyer below for details.

The Annual Family Cafe brings together thousands of people with disabilities and their family members for three days of education, training, and networking each year. The event is scheduled for June 9-11, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. There is no cost to attend for individuals with disabilities and their families. Register today: https://familycafe.net/register_for_event_form/

If you haven't had the opportunity to complete the 2022-2023 FLDOE ESE Parent Survey, the window is still open! Survey results will be used to help schools and districts improve services and results for children with disabilities. Use the link below to share your input: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESEParentSurvey.

Join the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) on April 18th for a presentation where they will discuss the functions of behavior, reinforcements, and techniques for preventing negative or problem behaviors while increasing positive behaviors. This presentation is primarily geared toward children ages 2-12. Use the link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/behavior-basics-2-4228-tickets-576287199527?aff=erelpanelorg

As an annual vendor, we are excited to share that the world’s biggest-known party celebrating VIP Kids of all ages with special needs and their families is coming May 6 to Lake Eola! Join the fun and festivities featuring food, games, exhibits, a friendship stroll, live performances and more!

The 2022-2023 FLDOE ESE Parent Survey window is now open! Survey results will be used to help schools and districts improve services and results for children with disabilities. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the survey will only be offered in web-based format at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESEParentSurvey.

The ESE Department is excited to share that we will begin recognizing “Exceptional Educators” during the month of April for going above and beyond while working with students with disabilities and/or gifted students. District and school staff, as well as parents, will be able to nominate administrative, instructional, and/or classified staff members by completing a Google Survey form shared via the OCPS ESE Department internet page, the ESE Department intranet page, and the ESE page.

Please use the link below if you would like to nominate a staff member as an Exceptional Educator:

https://forms.gle/m2iKx2MoWHFhDg3R7

The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida hosted a"Magic of Inclusion Celebration” at the Amway Arena on March 23rd. During halftime of the Orlando Magic game, they recognized fourteen nominees as “Inclusion Champions of the Year” at center court for their work in supporting students with down syndrome. Nine of the fourteen nominees were from Orange County Public Schools.

Melissa Horning from Pershing K-8 was recognized as the Inclusion Champion of the Year! Mrs. Horning was nominated by a parent for showing inclusion at school because “she believes that all students are more alike than different! Our family is forever grateful.”

Information regarding the other nominees from Orange County is below:
Shannon Fitzgerald - Access Charter School
Parvin Giraldo - Endeavor Elementary
Rachelle Kmetz - Exceptional Student Education
Ethan Mankoff - Horizons High School
Dennis Thomas - Horizons High School
Alan Ellis - Lake Como K-8
Suzanne Tozer - Lake Silver Elementary
Martha Meran - UCP West Orange Campus

Congratulations to Mrs. Horning and all of the nominees!

During the March 7, 2023 OCPS School Board Meeting, board members proclaimed April 2023 as Autism Awareness Month in Orange County Public Schools.

Orange County Public Schools serves more than 2,934 students with autism spectrum disorder. Our district has an array of educational supports including physical, occupational, speech and language therapy and behavioral assistance. These supports ensure that students with ASD receive their education with non-disabled peers in the least restrictive environment most appropriate for their individual needs. District personnel work closely with speech and language pathologists, behavior analysts and others to ensure teachers and administrators, who provide instruction and care for students with autism, receive the knowledge, training and aids necessary to provide each student with ASD an inclusive education.

Orange County Public Schools collaborates with numerous community partners, including the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities; Autism Society of Florida; Autism Society of Greater Orlando; Agency for Persons with Disabilities; Autism Speaks; Best Buddies; PALS–Providing Autism Links and Supports; Youth PALS; and Orange County Athletics. These organizations provide access to parent-support groups; recreational activities; therapeutic treatment; training; medical referrals; and resources for families of students with autism.

Make sure to set your clocks forward an hour this Sunday morning. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 12. Spring Break begins Monday, March 13.